Naper Settlement

December Highlights

Home for the Holidays: Christmas in the Fabulous 1950s Exhibit

Explore mid-century modern traditions and fun fads in Naper Settlement’s holiday-themed, post-World War II exhibit, Home for the Holidays: Christmas in the Fabulous 1950s. This temporary exhibit highlights a time when the U.S. government began tracking Santa Claus’ sleigh via radar, aluminum trees were the latest trend, and Napervillians started to enthusiastically adorn their homes with plastic decorations. This exhibit will be on view from Nov. 14 to Dec. 24. The exhibit will be open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10AM to 4PM. The exhibit will also be open and free during Christkindlmarket hours, but will close one hour prior to the market closing. See below for Christkindlmarket hours. Underwritten by Ronald & Claudia Stenger. Visit www.NaperSettlement.org/holiday for more info.

Santa @ the Settlement

Get in the spirit this holiday season by visiting Mr. and Mrs. Claus at Santa @ the Settlement taking place on Saturdays, Dec. 2, 9 and 16 from 9AM to noon. Visitors will be able to share their wishes in their letter to Santa, craft two ornaments in Santa’s Workshop and prepare a magical treat for Santa’s reindeer in the Reindeer Food Factory. Be sure to visit Mrs. Claus’ Bakery to help her decorate cookies, then gather around for story time. Bring your cameras for a special photo with Santa. Admission is $15 per person and $13 per member. Children under 1 year old are free. Registration is required.

History Speaks Lecture Series: An Old-Fashioned Christmas

Historian and author Rochelle Pennington invites audiences to take a nostalgic glance back to bygone Christmases between 1930 and 1960 at Naper Settlement’s History Speaks Lecture Series: An Old-Fashioned Christmas on Dec. 10 from 4 to 5PM. in the Meeting House. Visitors will learn about a time when holiday feasts were prepared from canned jars and holiday shopping began with a Sears & Roebuck catalog. Pennington’s program, filled with humor and historic trivia, will also feature items from her antique toy collection. Admission is $10 for adults and $9 for youth (4-12) and students. Admission for members is $8 for adults and $7 for youth. Reservations are recommended.

Naper Lights

Stroll the museum grounds and experience a magical holiday lights celebration! Naper Lights, presented by The Sunrise Rotary Club of Naperville, will be open Thursdays from 4 to 7PM, Fridays and Saturdays from 4 to 9PM and Sundays from 4 to 6PM from Nov. 24 to Dec. 17. Guests will also be able to enjoy Naper Lights from Dec. 18 to 23 Sunday through Thursday from 4 to 8PM and Friday and Saturday from 4 to 9PM. The lights will be viewable from outside of Naper Settlement from Dec. 24-26. Admission is free. Visit www.naperlights.com.

Christkindlmarket

The Christkindlmarket Naperville brings a cherished German and European tradition with international flair and local charm to Naperville. Experience an outdoor German holiday season market with all of the sights, sounds and magic as well as delicious smells and treats, wonderful handmade ornaments and gifts. Be sure to stop by Naper Settlement’s booth and purchase delicious hot cider, cider gift sets and money-saving coupon books to benefit the museum’s education and preservation programs.

Christkindlmarket Naperville will be open Thursdays through Sundays, from Nov. 24 to Dec. 17, on Thursdays from 11AM to 7PM, Fridays and Saturdays from 11AM to 9PM and Sundays from 11AM to 6PM Christkindlmarket will also be open Monday through Thursday, Dec. 18-21 from 11AM to 8PM, Friday through Saturday, Dec. 22-23 from 11AM to 9PM and Sunday, Dec. 24 from 11AM to 4PM. Admission is free. Learn more at www.christkindlmarket.com/naperville.

History comes to life at Naper Settlement, Chicagoland’s outdoor history museum, located at 523 S. Webster St. in Naperville. Visit www.napersettlement.museum or call (630) 420-6010 for tickets and info.